Overview
- The Athletic reported Justin Willard as the favorite for the Mets' pitching coach job, with the New York Post independently corroborating the development, and no official announcement yet.
- Willard has served as the Red Sox director of pitching since 2024 after prior roles in the Twins organization and in college coaching at Concord and Radford.
- He is known for a film‑driven, biomechanical approach summarized by his mantra to “throw nasty stuff in the zone,” and Boston’s staff ranked fifth in ERA in 2025.
- New York has overhauled its coaching staff this offseason, parting with longtime pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after six seasons.
- If hired, priorities would likely include reducing one of MLB’s higher walk totals, reestablishing Kodai Senga’s effectiveness, and guiding a wave of young starters.